Child Custody & Support

Phelps County Missouri Child Support & Custody Attorneys

Few issues are as contentious in divorce as child support and child custody. Even an amicable divorce can be very hard on the children. Because their mom and dad are splitting up, the children may have to move out of the family home or spend far less time there, away from their neighborhood and circle of friends.

If you are considering divorce, discuss your situation with an attorney at Thomas, Birdsong, Mills, McBride & Osborne, PC as early in the process as you can. Our attorneys are skilled in negotiation and litigation, and know how to protect your best interests and those of your children.

You and your children will be living with your divorce decree and family court orders for a long time.

Promoting the Welfare of Your Children

Missouri law promotes amicable child custody and child support settlements. In our judicial circuit, we have a local rule for establishing temporary child support and visitation. Notice is served to both parents. The nonresidential parent is obliged to pay temporary child support until the divorce is final.

The residential parent is the primary caregiver and is responsible for providing the daily needs of the children. Both parents are usually granted joint legal custody, which is the authority to make decisions about the children’s welfare, including health care, schools and religion. This is because Missouri courts prefer for both parents to have frequent and meaningful time with their children, unless one parent is shown to be unfit.

How Child Support Amounts Are Determined

Child support in Missouri is granted under a formula referred to as the state child support guidelines. Once permanent custody is established, the court looks at the income of each parent, the number of children in the family, the cost of health insurance and day care for the children, and a few other issues, then calculates the appropriate child support payment.